After hitting a deep pothole, you may notice damage to your car’s wheels, tires, or suspension. You are likely concerned about costly repairs and asking “Does car insurance cover damage from potholes?”. The good news is that damage from potholes usually IS covered by your car insurance, however, it typically won’t make sense to file a claim for repairs. Read on for more information on the type of damage a pothole can cause and the car insurance you need to be covered.
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How much damage do potholes do to cars?
With an average repair cost of only $500, pothole damage is generally much less expensive than other damage to your car (such as if your car is flooded or damaged by hail). Generally, potholes do minor damage to a car’s tires and wheels, however, it is possible potholes will cause more severe damage if the pothole is particularly deep or you were driving at high speed when you hit it. In the most expensive incidents, the pothole may damage your suspension, steering parts, or shock absorbers.
What should you do after hitting a pothole?
Immediately after you hit a pothole, you should stop to assess the damage to your car. You should then take pictures of the pothole, your car, and the surrounding area. These pictures will be extremely useful if you need to file an insurance claim. You should also consider filing a police report – having a paper trail will be useful if you decide to file an insurance claim.
When does car insurance cover damage from potholes?
Generally, pothole damage will be covered by a “collision” car insurance policy. Collision car insurance is a type of insurance policy that covers repairs if your car is damaged after colliding with something else, such as another car or an object like a pothole. Unlike other types of insurance, collision insurance will repair your car regardless of whether the damage is your fault.
Around 75% of drivers have some form of collision coverage, so the chances are very good that you will be covered for pothole damage. In addition, if your car is financed or leased, you will almost certainly have collision coverage because most lenders require it.
Should you make an insurance claim for pothole damage?
In most cases, you should NOT make an insurance claim for pothole damage! Because pothole damage is usually not severe, it often makes more sense to pay for the repairs yourself rather than make an insurance claim. Furthermore, most insurance companies consider pothole damage a single-car accident, and will likely consider you “at-fault” for the damage. One source found that getting into an at-fault accident will likely raise your car insurance premiums by 50%!
Not only will your insurance rates go up significantly after a claim, but it is also likely that the cost to repair pothole damage will be below your deductible. When the cost of your claim is below your deductible, you won’t receive any payment from your insurance company.
When does it make sense to submit a claim?
Before you make any claim with your insurance company, visit a local body shop and have them review the pothole damage and estimate the cost of a repair. When the cost to repair the pothole damage is well above your deductible, it may make sense to file an insurance claim. As mentioned, this severe damage is usually caused by issues with your car’s suspension.
The other case when it may make sense to file a claim is if you hit a pothole because of another car. If another driver’s actions caused you to hit the pothole, your insurer may no longer consider you “at-fault” for the damage. While the claim may still go on your insurance record, the impact on your rates will be much lower – and, in fact, these repairs may be paid by the other driver’s insurer rather than your own!
How does the claim process work for pothole damage?
In the rare case that severe pothole damage justifies an insurance claim – such as if your suspension is damaged or an axle is bent – you should call your insurance company and file a claim. Every insurer’s claim process is different, but if you give your insurance company a call they will walk you through the steps to formally file a claim.
Typically after filing a claim, you will be assigned an insurance adjuster who will manage your case. This adjuster will work with a local repair shop to assess the damage to your car and fund your repair. Pothole damage is typically repairable, but in some extreme cases your insurance company may declare that your car is totaled. When your car is totaled, your insurance company will give you a check for the cash value of your car, which you can use to purchase a new vehicle.
Will the city cover pothole damage?
It is the government’s responsibility to maintain roads, but are they responsible for the pothole damage to your car? Depending on your local laws, you can sometimes obtain reimbursement from the city or county for repair costs. However, this process can be very time-consuming and burdensome. Pursuing reimbursement from the city is not a substitute for insurance if your car is damaged severely.